NASCAR is ready to reveal the future of its championship format, and fans will not have to wait long to find out what changes are coming.
The sanctioning body will hold a press conference on Monday, Jan. 12 from Concord, North Carolina to announce the championship format for 2026 and beyond. This is one of the most anticipated announcements in recent memory, as speculation about potential changes to the playoff system has been swirling for months.
Live video coverage of the press conference will be available to stream starting at 3:30 p.m. ET on NASCAR.com, The NASCAR Channel, and NASCAR YouTube. Fans who want to catch every detail in real time will have multiple options to tune in.
Following the formal announcement, a special edition of “Inside the Race” will be streamed from the NASCAR Production Facility. That studio show is expected to provide additional context and analysis of whatever changes are revealed during the press conference.
The timing of the announcement is no accident. With the 2026 racing season just weeks away, NASCAR is giving teams, drivers, and fans time to digest the new format before the green flag drops on the new campaign.
The exhibition Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium will kick off the 2026 season on Sunday, Feb. 1. Coverage begins at 8 p.m. ET on FOX and HBO Max, with radio coverage available on MRN Radio and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
The NASCAR Cup Series points paying season officially begins two weeks later with the 68th running of the Daytona 500. The “Great American Race” is scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 15 at 2:30 p.m. ET, also on FOX and HBO Max with MRN Radio and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio providing audio coverage.
Whatever championship format NASCAR unveils on Monday will set the tone for how the 2026 season plays out. Whether the sanctioning body opts for evolutionary tweaks or a complete overhaul of the current playoff structure, the announcement promises to generate significant discussion heading into the new year.
